A NEW ERA AT MONREAGH ULSTER SCOTS HERITAGE CENTRE

21 July 2011

Things are gearing up for an exciting and busy year at Monreagh Ulster Scots / Scots Irish Heritage Centre! The Centre has been manned by selfless and hard-working volunteers since its opening in May 2009. From 1 July 2011 the centre will be receiving Core Funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency for 12 months. With this funding in place, the Centre has now recruited a new manager, historical consultant and administrator.

Dr Brendan Scott is from Belturbet, Co. Cavan and has taken up post of Centre Manager. He has lectured and worked at NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. He has written a number of books and articles on Ireland in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He is the editor of the Breifne historical journal. Prior to taking up the position as manager at Monreagh Ulster Scots / Scots Irish Heritage and Education Centre, Brendan was Research Officer at Cavan County Museum.

 Margaret Gibson is from Newtowncunningham and the Centre’s new Administration Officer with all her many financial skills she will be an asset to the running of the centre.

The Centre promotes “the Ulster Scots” story, but also deals with the general history of the east Donegal region. This is a shared history, and the Centre actively welcomes people from all backgrounds and faiths. The Centre has applied for Peace III funding to run peace themed projects and has also applied for a Capital Funding Grant from Fáilte Ireland to make the Centre more accessible and further its general appeal.

The Centre plans to involve local primary schools in a new education programme which they have devised. This programme has been designed to relate to the primary school curriculum, so both teachers and pupils alike will find it very beneficial and of course fun! A local history lecture series will also run throughout the Winter/Spring and details will be posted in local media when these are taking place.

The Ulster Scots Centre is also devising new local history trails for people to undertake when visiting the area and are always glad to answer any queries which people may have in relation to local history and genealogy.  Ulster Scots Tours are of course available if groups or individuals require guidance on these.

The Ulster Scots Centre is also generating a new database of people who wish to be notified of upcoming events. Should anyone wish to be included in this database, please contact the Centre at 074 9140708 or email at monreaghulsterscotscentre@town.ie www.monreaghulsterscotscentre.town.ie or find us on face book.

Monreagh Ulster Scots / Scots Irish Heritage Centre is open from Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4.30 pm all year round, and on Sunday from 2-5 pm during the Summer months.